In two days, Games tickets worth Rs 80 lakh sold

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 5 — In just two days since the sale began, tickets worth more than Rs 80 lakh were sold for 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games to be held from October 3 to 14 in the Capital. On day one, 1700 tickets worth Rs 20 lakh were sold.

“The response is overwhelming. We hope to reach our target very fast,” a Commonwealth Games (CWG) organising committee spokesperson said. He, however, could not specify the number of tickets sold so far. The organising committee expect to sell 17 lakh tickets generating Rs 60-70crore.

Tickets can be bought from seven branches of Central Bank of India, five Hero Honda showrooms and from the Commonwealth Games (CWG) website. Ticket are priced from Rs 50 to Rs 1,000, but prices for the opening ceremony have been kept between Rs 1,000 and Rs 50,000 and for the closing, from Rs 750 to Rs 50,000.

An added advantage for those queueing up to purchase tickets is that each ticket holder would be entitled for free travel in the Delhi Metro and DTC buses to reach and return from the venue on the day of the event.

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India’s first pvt metro to roll in Gurgaon by 2013

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gurgaon, June 6 — Come 2013, residents of the Millennium City can travel both on the government-run Metro network as well as the futuristic privately funded Metro rail, on a single ticket. On Saturday, the promoters of Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon (RMG), the country’s first privately-funded metro project, announced financial closure and launch of work on the 6.1 km overhead stretch that will directly benefit residents of DLF City (II& III), the National Media Centre, Ambience Lagoon and techies working in DLF Cybercity. Those employed in the Udyog Vihar industrial estate, Ambience Mall and those working with the Leela and Trident hotels, can also use the network. With the launch of the state-run Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s Metro in the next few days – an inspection is likely next week -Gurgaon residents, starved of effective public transport, will be relieved. The ticket for all stations in the privately-run Metro for will be priced at Rs 10. The waiting time, five minutes to begin with, will be later cut to 1.5 minutes in peak hours. “After getting the verbal nod from the Union Ministry of Urban Development, we achieved financial closure for Rs 1,088 crore RMG on Saturday,” said Sanjiv Rai, managing director of Rapid Metro Rail Gurgaon Limited (RMGL), the company behind the project. “We have identified contractor companies and allotted civil, electrification and signalling integration work. By next week, we would issue them work notices to start on-ground work,” he added.

With an expected ridership of more than one lakh people every day, the trains would use the automatic train operation system that doesn’t necessarily need a human driver.

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J-K govt begins process of Kashmiri Pandits’ return to valley

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

With more than 4,000 displaced families of Kashmiri Pandits wishing to return to their homes, Jammu and Kashmir government today began the process to facilitate the return of the community to the Valley.

“The families (of displaced Kashmiri Pandits) are advised to furnish their plan of return to the valley so that necessary arrangements can be made for their return,” Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), Jammu, said in a notification issued here.

Incentives under the Prime Minister’s package for Kashmiri migrants would be made available to them, the notice said.

As many as 4,440 applications have been received from Kashmiri migrant families, who wish to return to the valley under the policy of Return and Rehabilitation of Kashmiri Migrants to Kashmir Valley, officials of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department said.

Of the 4,440 applications received, 1,682 families are still in possession of immovable assets and these applications have been referred for verification.

The families who had sold their immovable properties and have applied to return to the valley are advised to furnish details about the arrangements made by them for permanent settlement in the valley so that assistance available under the package can be provided to them, the Relief Commissioner said.

The largest number of applications – 1,237 – have been received from Srinagar district followed by 1,140 applications from Anantnag district, 462 from Baramulla, 431 from Budgam, 359 from Pulawama, 283 from Kulgam, 240 from Kupawara, 150 from Shopian and 98 from Ganderbal.

However, no application for the return of Kashmiri migrants have been received from Bandipore district.

As many as 3,000 migrant youth would be given jobs under the special employment package in this direction and interviews have been conducted for finalisation of the list.

Central Government has sanctioned a package of Rs 1,618 crore for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants to the Valley.

As many as 38,119 families of Kashmiris are registered as migrants with the Relief Organisation in Jammu. Of these, 34,202 families are Hindus, 2,168 Muslims and 1,749 Sikhs.

According to statistics available, about 19,338 Kashmiri migrants live in Delhi.

11 Kashmiri migrant families live in Himachal Pradesh, 924 in Haryana, 114 in Chandigarh, 319 in Punjab, 57 in Uttaranchal, 222 in UP, 43 in MP, one in Tamil Nadu, 38 in Karnataka, 208 in Maharashtra and 48 Rajasthan.

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Cos lure students with freebies

May 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 28 — If you are among the thousands trying to grab a seat at the Delhi University this year, your journey to the form centres from the metro stations could be smooth. Wondering how? Sample this, the moment you de-board at the Vishwavidyalaya station a voice greets you, “Ma’am our AC cab is waiting to take you to your form centre.

” With temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Celsius, it is definitely a relief to the students. And that’s how Grewal Academy of Accounting Professionals (GAAP), an educational institute is trying to catch the attention of the students.

Puzzled? Well that’s a new marketing gimmick that the companies are trying to advertise themselves. From giving free card rides to 100 per cent job assurance, it’s an advertising haven for various companies who are every attempt to lure students who went to collect the Delhi University admission forms on day one.

“Not all students get through to the university, so we are asking them to register with us. Once the admission process is over we call them to know if they are still interested in our offer,” said Anita Sharma (name changed) who is registering students for Kingfisher Airlines.

The airline is offering a nine-month training course for ground staff, retail and hospitality at Rs 1.45 lakh.

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Kalmadi now wants road tax cut, Govt says it’s fed up

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

After getting freebies of all kinds, the Organising Committee (OC) is now asking for exemption for their sponsors as well. In a new memorandum sent to the Delhi government, Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi has asked for VAT and road tax exemption for over 200 cars that they will get as sponsorship.

The OC has been holding dialogue with Maruti, Tata and Mahindra to get these cars. However, nothing has been finalised as yet. To make the deal more lucrative for them, the OC is asking for waiver on VAT while purchasing the cars and exemptions on road tax while registering it. This will cost the Delhi government nearly Rs 38 crore, said a senior finance official.

“Kalmadi has submitted a memorandum to us. Games organisers have pressed for such waivers quite regularly, claiming that it is our responsibility as the host state. Frankly, we are fed up of it now,” said a senior government official.

Kalmadi has also reminded the government of his pending request for waiving off 12.5 per cent VAT on all purchases made for the Games. They have also requested the government to provide food to volunteers during the fortnight of the Games.

The Delhi government is levying a flurry of taxes on Delhi residents to raise the Rs 1,300 crore more revenue required to fund the Games preparations. The government has also given close to Rs 250 crore as exemptions. Waiving luxury tax on hotels where participants will stay will alone cost the exchequer close to Rs 33 crore.

HC’s 5 directivesThe Delhi High Court on Wednesday drafted a five-point directive for the state for the benefit of Commonwealth Games workers. * Make “all possible” efforts to register maximum number of workers * Provide identity cards * Labour department to monitor issuance of passbooks * Provide education to as many children of the workers as possible * Assure medical facilities along with all other benefits

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Court to pronounce verdict in Ruchika molestation case today

May 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Chandigarh, May 20 (ANI): A court in Chandigarh on Thursday will pronounce its verdict on former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore”s plea challenging his conviction in Ruchika molestation case.

Rathore has three cases pending against him in the court, all filed by Ruchika”s family and friends.

Ruchika”s family lawyer Pankaj Bharadwaj had earlier filed two FIRs against Rathore.

The lawyer had claimed that the first FIR was filed for forging documents like the inquest report and the other for illegal detention of Ruchika”s brother, Ashu, who was kept in illegal detention and tortured at the behest of Rathore.

The third case is that of abetment to suicide against him. The family has alleged that Ruchika was expelled from Sacred Heart Convent in Chandigarh due to Rathore”s influence.

Teenager Ruchika had killed herself three years after the incident by drinking poison.

The CBI is investigating whether Rathore drove Ruchika to suicide after she filed molestation charges. An inquiry by the Chandigarh administration has found that Ruchika was unfairly expelled from her school in 1990.

The report also concluded that the expulsion took place under pressure from “an external influence”.

The Special CBI court had earlier held the former cop guilty under Section 354 IPC and sentenced him to six months imprisonment and had imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on him.

Rathore has been stripped off his meritorious police service medal. (ANI)

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ONGC refuels Tezpur Varsity’s Centre for Petroleum Biotechnology

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Petroleum major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has given an additional grant of Rs. 50 lakh to run the ONGC-sponsored Centre for Petroleum Biotechnology.

A company release said that an MoU was inked between ONGC and Tezpur University on April 30 in the university premises, to accord permanence to this rare industry-academia linkage aiming to take India closer to advanced and cost-effective technologies in Microbiology.

This Centre for Petroleum Biotechnology was set up in 1999 with an ONGC grant of Rs. 1.89 crore.
The earlier MoU between ONGC and Tezpur University, creating the Centre, expired in 2008. ONGC’s support now will fuel the Centre with fresh life, to undertake current research in microbiology and biotechnology in general, and bioremediation and microbial enhanced oil recovery in particular.

The grant will be used for development of advanced and cost-effective technologies in Microbiology, mainly for environment protection

The development is expected to give a big boost to industry-academia interface in upstream oil and gas industry.

In a country, where industry-academia interface is lagging behind other peer nations, oil major ONGC has a structured framework for Industry-academia interface, with regular programmes for summer training and industrial tours for students, support to set up laboratories and academic institutes and collaborative research work.

ONGC is also considering offering monthly scholarships of up to Rs. 5000/- to meritorious students for short-term projects of national importance. (ANI)

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A Raja claims there was complete transparency in the allocation of 2G spectrum

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 29 (ANI): Union Telecom Minister A Raja said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that that there was complete transparency in the way 2G spectrum was allocated by his Ministry, and that he had nothing to hide.

“I have nothing to hide. There was complete transparency in the way 2G spectrum was allocated by the Telecom Ministry,” said Raja giving his defence on the controversy over his alleged role in the 2G spectrum controversy.

There was an uproar in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after lawmakers demanded the resignation of Raja after a leading newspaper claimed proof against him over his alleged role in the 2G spectrum scandal.

They demanded that Raja should step down from his ministerial position with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, there are reports that in Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is hoping to take full advantage of the controversy.

AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa has accused the Centre of double standards for forcing Shashi Tharoor to quit over the Indian Premier League (IPL) scandal, but keeping Raja despite the allegations of corruption against him.

”When charges were raised by Lalit Modi about Shashi Tharoor’s dubious involvement in IPL deals, the junior minister was sacrificed. But when it comes to allies, the UPA is forced to submit to blackmail. The issue is not just one of probity in public life,” said
Jayalalithaa.

“It is about the loot of Rs 1 lakh crore of funds due to the nation. It is the sort of money that could have provided independent houses free of cost to every family in Tamil Nadu,” she added.

Raja had said in October last year that he wouldn’t step down from his position in the wake of charges that his spectrum allocation policies have caused a revenue loss of 60,000 crore rupees.

“I will not step down. Ours is a government that has followed all rules to the latter and spirit by following the recommendations of TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India),” he said.

Raja also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government was involved in the “biggest ever scam”, as it distributed free spectrum to operators depriving the exchequer of over 1,60,000 rupees crore revenue.

Raja added that the NDA government not only distributed free spectrum, but also violated all norms by giving the frequency far in excess of 4.4 MHz to many leading operators. (ANI)

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Delhi Govt. announces increases VAT on CNG, diesel in Budget 2010

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 22 (ANI): The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi on Monday announced increase in the value added tax (VAT) on natural gas (CNG), diesel, dry fruits, Desi ghee, glucose and tea while withdrawing the Rs. 40 subsidy on LPG (cooking gas) in the Budget 2010 and cited Commonwealth Games as the reason.

Addressing media, after presenting the Budget, Delhi’s Finance Minister A K Walia said the enhancement in VAT rates and withdrawal of subsidy on LPG were necessitated by the increased expenditure on infrastructural projects related to Commonwealth Games 2010.

Walia said that in view of increased expenditure due to the Commonwealth Games related projects and schemes and inadequate collection of taxes due to down turn in economy, additional sources of revenue are required.

Walia, however, assured that there would be no extra burden on the ””common man”” as the prices of essential commodities would not be increased.

””In any case with the implementation of GST next year, the subsidy on most items will have to be withdrawn,”” Walia said.

The Budget removes the current subsidy of Rs 40 on the LPG which will lead to increase in prices to Rs 322.80 per gas cylinder.

The withdrawal of subsidy will relieve the State Government of a burden of Rs 160 to Rs 170 crore per annum.

The VAT on CNG for use in transport sector has been hiked to five per cent which will translate into a hike of Rs 1.09 per litre while the VAT on diesel have been increased from 12.5 per cent to 20 per cent which amounts to a hike of Rs 2.37 per litre.

Moreover, the VAT on writing instruments, watches above Rs 5,000, mobile phones and accessories above Rs 10,000 and readymade garments has also been enhanced.(ANI)

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Consumers angry over hike in milk prices

March 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 20 (ANI): Customers here are angry over the announcement made by Mother Dairy, the biggest supplier of milk, that fresh milk would cost Rs two more per litre from Saturday.

Mother Dairy has reportedly raised prices by Rs 1 and Rs 2 per litre.

Major milk retailers in the country like Amul and Mother Diary had earlier hinted at a gradual rise in product prices, despite Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar refuting rumours of possible rise in milk prices, because of demand-supply mismatch.

“This is not at all right. There was a Budget session leave, but nothing was announced earlier. And now after it is closed, they have suddenly raised the prices of milk. And prices of all other essential commodities have also increased,” said Rajendra Prasad, a local.

Milk is a commodity that we purchase everyday, now we will have to pay extra everyday so it will be an extra burden,” he added.

Locals said that they are helpless, as the government would not listen to them even if they raise their voices.

“What should we say that milk prices have risen, we are very poor people. How will we eat and drink as the prices are being raised by 1 or 2 rupees,” said Gayatri Devi, another local.

“There is nothing left to say and even if we will speak about it the prices won”t fall. Do you think they”ll fall if we”ll raise our voices?” she added.

As per the revised prices, a litre of toned milk, which is the highest selling Mother Dairy product, will be available for 23 rupees, instead of the current price of 22 rupees.

The price of full cream milk has been increased from 28 rupees to 30 rupees per litre and that of toned bulk vended milk from 20 to 22 rupees per litre. (ANI)

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Bihar raises reward for 20 wanted Maoists

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Patna, March 17 (IANS) The Bihar government has doubled the reward money for 20 wanted activists of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist.

Now, the reward money has been upped to Rs.3 lakh in the case of Vijay Kumar Arya alias Jaipal and Rs.2 lakh for Jagdish Yadav alias Masterji. The two operate in Aurangabad and Gaya districts, police said.

The reward money for Sitaram Rajwar has been raised to Rs.1 lakh. Informants who help in getting Vijay Yadav and Birender Yadav arrested will get Rs.50,000.

The government last week admitted that 33 of the 40 districts were affected by Maoist violence. According to Bihar police chief Neelmani, 1,881 Maoists were arrested between 2006 and 2009.

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Mayawati garland had only Rs.21 lakh: BSP minister

March 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow, March 16 (IANS) After initial denials about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati having been felicitated with a giant sized garland made of Rs.1,000 denomination currency notes at the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) rally here Monday, party leaders Tuesday said it contained only Rs.21 lakh, not Rs.5 crore.

Taking cognizance of the gift, the Income Tax department is said to have issued a notice to Mayawati.

‘The garland had currency notes worth only Rs.21 lakh, that were contributed by a large number of party leaders and workers,’ Mayawati’s close confidante and cabinet Minister Naseemuddin Siddiqui declared here Tuesday.

‘The money for the garland was collected by party functionaries in Lucknow and we arranged to have a special garland made for our leader here itself,’ he told mediapersons, after the party’s earlier denials were rebutted with huge pictures on TV as well as in print, clearly showing the currency notes.

Siddiqui refuted media reports about the garland having been gifted by BSP functionaries in Karnataka, where it was earlier stated to have been crafted.

When a journalist sought to draw his attention to a Karnataka BSP leader having gone on record Monday claiming that the garland was brought by him, Siddiqui said: ‘What I am telling you is the truth. I do not know of what and who made this claim from Karnataka.’

Accusing the opposition of spreading all kinds of canard against the BSP, he said: ‘Well, the opposition has got the jitters after seeing the mammoth turnout at our rally, so they are bound to make wild allegations against us.’

Asked what the party would do in the wake of the Income Tax probe ordered into the garland affair, Siddiqui said the party was ‘not scared of any inquiry as we have not done anything wrong’.

Flatly denying the opposition charge that the rally was a ‘government sponsored affair’ and that it entailed an expenditure of Rs.200 crore, he said that by no stretch of imagination, could it be such a whopping figure.

‘Let me tell you, most of the work was undertaken by volunteers who worked without taking a penny in return to make the rally a grand success, which was what the opposition cannot digest,’ he added.

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Rs.5 crore garland for Mayawati?

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow, March 15 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was Monday presented a giant garland of currency notes by her fans from Karnataka. Though the exact value of the garland is not known, onlookers put it in the region of a whopping Rs.5 crore!

In fact, no one noticed the Rs.1,000 currency notes with which the giant garland was created until these were identified by a local photographer when he zoomed in.

Earlier, while Mayawati was being garlanded, mediapersons could make out from a distance that it was not a run-of-the-mill garland. But beholders perceived it as one made of some exquisite imported flowers.

However, the mystery was unravelled no sooner than the still pictures were promptly lifted and beamed by TV channels.

Those present on the dais, however, feigned ignorance about the unique garland in which some 50,000 currency notes of Rs.1,000 each were believed to have been used.

The garland was specially crafted and brought by Mayawati’s party functionaries all the way from Bangalore for Monday’s mega rally organised by her to mark the Bahujan Samaj Party’s silver jubilee celebrations, which coincided with the 76th birth anniversary of party founder and her political mentor Kanshi Ram.

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Lok Sabha adjourned over Mayawati”s lavish rally

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Mar 16 (ANI): Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned till 1 p.m. on Tuesday after the Congress and the Samajwadi Party called for an inquiry over Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati”s lavish celebrations on Monday to mark the 25th anniversary of the Bahujan Samaj Party.

The giant garland, used to honour Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati by her supporters during the party”s silver jubilee celebrations on Monday led to a new controversy, as it was alleged to have been made of Rs.1, 000 Indian currency notes.

The controversy gained momentum Congress leaders began to question the source from where the money had come.

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have both demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry against Mayawati for misusing what they called public wealth. (ANI)

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Apple season almost over in Himachal, 1.2 cr crates sold

November 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Apple season almost over in Himachal, 1.2 cr crates soldShimla, Nov 1 – With the apple season in Himachal Pradesh almost over, 1.2 crore boxes have been despatched to markets across the country.

“The season in districts like Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Chamba districts is almost over,” said horticulture director Gurdev Singh Sunday.

“A major chunk of the crop is currently coming from high-altitude areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts,” Singh told IANS.

The high quality apples from the Chango, Ribba and Namgiya valleys of Kinnaur, and Hurling in Lahaul and Spiti command a virtual monopoly these days, though the output in the twodistricts is lesser than that elsewhere due to the harsh climatic conditions.

According to Singh, 15,000 to 20,000 crates of 25 kilograms each are being despatched daily to other states.

Said Sunil Katoch, a farmer from Ribba village in Kinnaur: “Harvesting is on in certain pockets in the interiors. Farmers are getting record prices despite low production, and supplying directly to markets like Chandigarh and Delhi.”

Kinnaur-based horticulture development officer Jagat Negi said the season will continue for another 15 days, with outstation traders now camping in the district to procure apples directly from farmers.

“Even after one month of the onset of the season (in Kinnaur), traders are offering an on-field price of Rs. 1,200 per 25-kilogram box. The figure is quite high as compared to previous years,” Negi said.

Horticulture director Singh said this year turned out to be lucrative for farmers despite the massive decline in production because of deficient rains during the monsoon and poor snowfall last winter.

“Apple prices saw a significant jump throughout the season due to fall in production. The prices remained almost 50 percent higher compared to the previous year,” he said.

“Even the undersized and hail-hit apples fetched a record price. The price is almost Rs. 500 per box more than last year.”

According to horticulture department estimates, the total production this season will be around 1.8 crore boxes, considerably less than last year’s 2.6 crore crates.

Apple is the main fruit crop of Himachal Pradesh and is grown in nine out of the state’s 12 districts, and accounts for about 40 percent of the total area under fruit cultivation.

More than 200,000 families are engaged in apple cultivation and 90 percent of them are small and marginal farmers with an average holding of less than 0.6 hectare.

Besides apples, other fruits such as pears, peaches, cherries and plums are the major commercial crops of the state. (IANS)

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PCB chief miscalculated on ICC compensation package to Pak

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Lahore, Sep 1 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt was off the mark when he claimed last week that Pakistan would receive around Rs 1.5 billion (18 million dollars) from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after settling its 2011 World Cup dispute with the game’s governing body.

“The PCB stands to gain about Rs.1 billion (12 million dollars) from its deal with the ICC that was struck in Dubai last week,” sources said.

The settlement between the ICC and the PCB was reached following a meeting between ICC president David Morgan and Ijaz in Dubai last Wednesday.

Sources said Ijaz quoted that figure under pressure from the newsmen, who were surprised when Ijaz initially said that Pakistan would get Rs 1 billion from the deal.

“Rs 1 billion is only slightly higher than the amount of 10.5 million dollars which Pakistan would have got in any case as hosting fees for 14 of its World Cup matches,”the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

Before making the deal with the ICC, Ijaz had claimed that Pakistan would get a substantial compensation for settling its court case with the ICC over the staging of the World Cup.

The PCB had issued a legal notice to the ICC early this summer after the game’s governing body moved Pakistan’s share of matches out of the country because of security concerns. (ANI)

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Centre calls upon states for partnership in education reforms

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 31(ANI): The Centre has called upon States for support and partnership to ensure educational reforms in the country.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 56th Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) meeting in the national capital on Monday, Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal underlined expansion, inclusion and excellence as the three underlying principles for educational reforms.

Sibal particularly called for collaboration from State Governments with regard to the Right to Education (RTE).

He pointed out that Rs. 1,50,000 crore would be required for implementing the RTE in the country and it is perceived that there will be a shortfall of Rs.60,000 crore, as it would be a massive exercise.

Sibal also said that in order to provide equal opportunity to all students trying for professional courses, a core curriculum in Maths and Science needs to be formulated. he minister also emphasised that diversity in education was to be respected and there was no intent of having a single board in the country.

With regard to higher education Sibal said that his Ministry was in the process of formulating the structure for an overarching body for higher education that would be responsible for higher education policy.

He said that some of the proposals for higher education included complete autonomy to universities for devising courses, cross fertilisation of courses and research oriented universities.

Sibal also said that he was open to the idea of Indian universities collaborating with foreign universities or with the corporate sector. He pointed out that the corporate sector was showing increasing interest in education as they require trained manpower. (ANI)

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Junior doctors’ strike in Bihar, claims 38 lives

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Patna, Aug 31(ANI): The outdoor and emergency services at the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) continue to be affected for the fifth day on Monday due to an indefinite strike by 800-odd junior doctors.

According to reports, the doctors strike has so far claimed lives of 38 patients.

“Work at emergency and other wards of the Patna Medical College Hospital in Patna and Darbhanga Medical College Hospital at Darbhanga have been seriously hit by the strike,” a news channel quoted official sources, as saying.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that the junior doctors should withdraw the strike as soon as possible.

“The timing of the strike is completely wrong and anti-people. It should have been amicably resolved, instead of resorting to a stir,” Kumar said.

The striking juniors are pressing for introduction of payscale system in place of existing stipend system, which they get in lieu of work while pursuing their postgraduate studies.

The juniors get Rs 13,000 per month as stipend in the first year and it goes up by Rs 1,000 in each of the remaining two years during which they complete the PG course. (ANI)

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Railway gangman killed by train robbers in Bihar

August 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Patna, Aug 30 (ANI): A railway employee was killed and 10 others were injured when an armed gang looted cash and valuables from passengers of Jhajha-Patna local train in Bihar’s Jamui district on early Sunday.

The incident took place in the East Central Railway zone.

According to police sources, armed robbers boarded the train at Jamui and went on a looting spree.

The robbers snatched cellular phones, cash and other valuables worth around Rs 1 lakh from the passengers, police sources added.

The railway gangman, Mukesh Mandal, was shot at when he tried to resist looters near Mahesh Leta station.

Mandal, who sustained serious wounds, died on the way to a hospital at Jamui, sources said.

At least 10 passengers were wounded in a stampede, which was created due to the fire by the robbers.

The robbers managed to escape after pulling the chain of the train near Mahesh Leta station.

The Railway Police and the Bihar state Police are conducting search operation in the area for the robbers. (ANI)

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PM to give away National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises today

August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will give away the National Awards to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises here today.

The function is being organized by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

Dinsha Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for MSME will preside over the function.

National Awards were instituted in 1983 for outstanding entrepreneurship in Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

The Awards are given to MSMEs for outstanding performance in Entrepreneurship, Research and Development and Quality; to banks for lending to the micro and small sector; to honour one outstanding woman entrepreneur; and one outstanding entrepreneur from SC/ST community.

Special recognition awards are also given in all categories for performance above a certain cut-off level.

The awards are given for various categories in research and development efforts, entrepreneurship and quality products.

The first, second and third National Awards carry a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000/-, Rs. 75,000/- and Rs. 50,000/- respectively, a certificate and a trophy.

A Special Recognition to those MSMEs scoring marks above 80 per cent and 50 per cent (in case of North-Eastern Region including Sikkim) is given a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/-, a certificate and a trophy.

These awards are given at State level functions organized by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises-Development Institutes of respective states.

The category of Outstanding Entrepreneurship includes (First, Second and Third), Special Awards, at par with the First National Award, to honour an outstanding women entrepreneur, an outstanding entrepreneur from SC/ST and an entrepreneur from North Eastern Region, two (First and Second) awards for Medium Enterprises engaged in manufacturing and two (First and Second) awards for MSEs rendering services.

The First, Second and Third National Awards for Micro and Small Enterprises for 2008 will be awarded to entrepreneurs from Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat respectively.

A woman entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh has won the Special Award under the category of women entrepreneurs and special award for SC/ST entrepreneur has gone to Gujarat. A women entrepreneur from Sikkim has won the Special Award from NER.

The first and second National Awards for Medium Enterprise has been won by entrepreneurs from Karnataka and Rajasthan respectively. An entrepreneur from Haryana won first National Award and entrepreneur from Kerala won the second award for the Micro and Small Enterprises rendering Services. Special Recognition Awards will also be given to entrepreneurs/enterprises.

The category of Research and Development in MSMEs include two awards (First and Second) for Micro and Small Enterprises.

The next category includes certain Quality Product groups selected each year. One National Award is given for each category of the selected products.

The National Awards for Quality Products 2008 will be given to eligible entrepreneurs for nine products i.e. (1) Woolen Blankets and Shawls and Stoles (2) Electric Wires and Cables (3) Fasteners (Nuts, Bolts and Screws) (4) Auto Parts -Metallic (Non-electrical) (5) Dairy Products (6) Ceramic Table ware (7) Plastic Extruded Products (8) Paints and Varnishes (9) Non-Leather Footwear (all types). Special Recognition awards will be given to 14 entrepreneurs/enterprises.

The National Awards Scheme has had a positive impact on the MSMEs. The awardees have benefited by way of larger orders booked, higher credibility with bankers and improvement in brand image. (ANI)

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